do bonsai trees need light

DO BONSAI TREES NEED LIGHT? Absolutely! This is how you take care of your bonsai tree and ensure that it gets the right amount of light.

Sunlight is essential for the growth of any given plant. The light, especially the ultraviolet rays, will positively affect the growth of a plant. This definitely means that a bonsai plant requires sunlight. It should be placed in a sunny location.

Light Requirements for Indoor Bonsai

Taking care of an indoor bonsai tree is totally different from the care given to other potted plants in your house. This is mainly because they are trees that are destined to be big but were planted in small pots. This limits their storage space for both water and nutrients. Most of them are actually tropical trees. They are used to a lot of light as well as humidity. This makes some of the circumstances difficult for the tree’s existence inside the house.

One of the greatest problems with a tropical indoor bonsai plant is that the amount and intensity of the light available in the house are really low compared to that on the outside. Even thou the tree will not die instantly, but its growth will be affected and it will be decreased.

For this reason, place your bonsai plant at a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight. To be specific, place the tree near one of your windows. Let the tree get lots of indirect sunlight.

Artificial Lighting For Indoor Bonsai Trees

Being in the 21st century, it is not surprising that we have been able to mimic some forces of nature, including light. Artificial light can now be used to grow bonsai trees. It has had tremendous success and adding a light where you keep your bonsai will ensure that it thrives.

There are three types of artificial lighting that are suitable for growing bonsai trees. The lights are mostly used when there is a deficit or total absence of light where you keep your indoor bonsai.

The lights are:

Fluorescent Lights

LED Lights

CFL Lights

Light Requirements for Outdoor Bonsai

Contrary to the common misconception about bonsai trees (that they should only be kept in the house), some of the trees need to be placed outside in order to thrive. Here they get exposed to the environment in all the four seasons. They are exposed to the temperature changes throughout the year, as well as high humidity.

Outdoor bonsai trees can be kept in the garden or on a balcony. However, before you get a bonsai tree for yourself, it is important that you consider which species will thrive well under the conditions which you can offer to it. Some species have to be protected from intensive sunshine and heat, but will do well outside with indirect light.

Most of the outdoor bonsai trees need to be exposed to some sunlight for several hours a day.

Conifers, for example, have to be placed in full sunlight so that they grow well and stay at their healthiest.

Where you place the tree mainly depends on where you live. However, keep in mind that the tree requires to be placed outside all through the year. This is because the annual cycle is a crucial process for the health of your tree.

If your outdoor bonsai needs direct sunlight, place your bonsai tree at a bright spot that has a lot of light. During the summer, watch it closely, as you may need to provide some kind of shade for the tree.